אות - קד

Regarding the Evil Urge, the Talmud teaches, “If this disgusting one accosts you, drag him to the house of study” ( Kiddushin 30b) .

Sometimes the Evil One worships inside a man. The man becomes like a synagogue, with the Evil One worshipping inside him. The Evil One can also study inside a man. The man is then like a study hall, with someone studying inside him.

In such a case, study is better than prayer. When you bring the Evil One into the study hall, our Sages teach, “If he is a stone, he will be melted; if he is iron, he will be shattered” (ibid.) .

“If this disgusting thing accosts you ( PeGA bakh ).” According to the Talmud, PeGa means to pray ( Berakhot 26b) . Bakh literally means “in you.” We can then read the quotation as, “If this disgusting thing worships within you, drag him to the house of study.” If you are like a synagogue with the Evil One worshipping inside you, drag him to the house of study because Totah study is the most effective antidote.